Kyoto has various activities, events and places to discover. You have so many choices also depending on seasons that you are visiting. Sakura in spring, Gion Festival in summer, beautiful autumn leaves in Fall and spending new years holiday in the way of Japanese tradition. These are just examples of experiencing Kyoto. Plan well in advance and make the most of your stay while you are in Kyoto! In this article, we are introducing some recommended activities and spots you should check out when planning your journey!
If you want to have some special experience in Kyoto, renting kimono is a great idea. Strolling around the old city of Kyoto in kimono will make you feel you are back in time.. Kyoto Kimono Rental Yumeyakata will help you everything to make your day in kimono wonderful. They have a great varieties of kimono and yukata (kimono for summer), help you with styling and their professional hair arrangement would make you look even more beautiful! You can just send kimono back from your accommodation when renting period is finished. Their one of the branches, Oike Bettei shop is renovated from traditional Japanese house, machiya. Ordering professional photo shooting is available!
Kyoto Kimono Rental Yumeyakata Website : https://www.en-kyoto.yumeyakata.com/ Address : 128, Manjujicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Opening Hour : 10:00~18:30 Access : 2 min from subway Gojo Station on foot +81-75-354-9110 / contact / Map
From tea leaves picking to tasting matcha – d:matcha Kyoto is all about tea. Wazuka Town in southern part of Kyoto prefecture has a good reputation of the tea plantation as the town belongs to a member of the “Japan’s most beautiful village association”. In addition to just seeing the tea plantations as a landscape, d:matcha Kyoto offers the special activities as tea farmers such as single origin sencha tea tasting experience, making your own original sencha tea by blending tea and grinding matcha experience. You can simply stop by for having tea and sweets as well. If you are a tea lover and are curious to learn Japanese tea, this place is a must visit when in Kyoto.
d:matcha Kyoto Website : https://dmatcha.com/ Address : 17 Kyomachi, Kamatsuka, Wazuka, Sorakugun, Kyoto Opening Hour : 10:00~18:30 Access : 20 min bus ride from JR Kamo Station +81-774-74-8205 / contact / Map
Samurai Kenbu Theater & School provides an authentic samurai experience programs both in Kyoto and Tokyo. It is the traditional performing art with a Japanese sword ‘katana’ and a Japanese fan. The word ‘kembu’ means literally ‘sword dance.’ In feudal times samurais danced with their swords and fans to give themselves courage or to achieve mental concentration. Anyone who is interested in experiencing being samurai are welcome to experience it. You have options of watching performance or participating a lesson with samurai costume. It is a great chance to step into the shoes of samurai and experience the cultural heritage of Japan!
Samurai Kenbu Theater & School Website : https://www.samurai-kenbu.jp/ Address : B1F GOZAN Hotel 35-7 Sanchome, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto Opening Hour : 11:00 Close 21:00 (Mon.-Sat.) Access : 3 min walk from Sanjo Station / 20 min bus ride from JR Kyoto station +81(0)75-751-2033 / contact / Map
Try great restaurants only within 1 min walk from Gojo Sunway Station. Two modern style restaurants at hotel kanra are the places to enjoy high quality Kyoto local food. At HANAROKU, they serve dishes with Japanese seasonal ingredients mainly from Kyoto. You also can enjoy Wagyu beef with special selected sake from small sake breweries in Kyoto. The Kitchen Kanra cooks mainly seafood and vegetable. Their specialities are chargrilled meals in order to bring out the essence of each ingredients.
hotel kanra kyoto restaurant Website : https://www.uds-hotels.com/en/kanra/kyoto/restaurant/ Address : 190 Kitamachi Karasuma-dori Rokujo-sagaru Shimogyo-ku Kyoto Opening for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Access : 1 min from subway Gojo Station on foot +81-75-344-3815 / contact / Map
Your Japan Trip Gets Better Once You Understand Sake
Start with Kyoto Insider Sake Experience in Fushimi.
Fushimi is Kyoto’s sake district — but simply visiting a bar or shop won’t help you understand which sake to choose or why it tastes the way it does.
At Kyoto Insider Sake Experience, you’ll join an expert-led sake tasting and food pairing session designed to help you taste with confidence. By comparing different styles side by side, you’ll clearly understand the differences in aroma, flavour, and structure — and discover what you truly enjoy.
This experience is the perfect introduction to sake at the beginning of your trip in Japan. Not just tasting sake, but learning how to choose it — anywhere, anytime.
Discover Japan’s real sake & food culture in Fushimi.
Co Founder of KYOTO INSIDER SAKE EXPERIENCE / Travel Specialist / Airbnb Host since 2015.
About me：I have travelled to nearly 50 countries, and since 2015, I have been hosting travellers from all over the world—and loving it. Drawing on my experience of visiting many different countries, I help tourists visiting Japan have a richer, more meaningful experience.
